February 2, 2021 – Thunder Bay, ON – Habitat for Humanity Thunder Bay is excited to announce the completion of homes for the Keefe and Woodbeck families and have presented both families with their keys to their new home on February 1st, 2020.
“The day we hand over the keys to our families is the best day of our year, but particularly during a pandemic,” said Lana Vukelic, CEO Habitat for Humanity Thunder Bay, “We are so happy to know that these two families have taken possession of their homes and that they will start this next chapter in their lives with a foundation built on strength, stability and self-reliance.”
This house means a lot to me. I’m at the point in my life where I don’t want to rent anymore. I want to start investing in a place of my own, a place where I see myself living for a long time. I’m really excited for my family to finally be able to settle into something permanent and build some memories there.” Said, Shanda Woodbeck
Her daughter Sierra is ecstatic; during the socially distanced key exchange Monday afternoon in the Habitat office, her bright smile and enthusiastic waves caught Vukelic’s attention while handing off the key to her mom. She said her favourite part of the new house is her room. “I have my very own bedroom, and I have a place that is all to myself,” she said. Standing in her new kitchen with a fresh paint smell, Mellisa Keefe couldn’t help but smile as she said: “I can actually say ‘I’m a homeowner.'”
It means no more rent, and it means that I can actually save for the future of my children.”
Like all Habitat families, the Woodbeck and Keefe families have completed 500 volunteer hours to qualify to be homeowners in the program. They purchased their home with no down payment and a zero-interest mortgage. Both families have been very active on the build site, taking great pride in participating in all aspects of the construction project. Both families have been enthusiastic representatives of Habitat for Humanity in our community and beyond since they opened their acceptance letters.
When asked what having a Habitat home will mean to them, Shanda Wooodbeck said that sometimes I struggle to give my children everything they need. My Habitat home means I can finally put down roots, refer to this as home (not a rental), grow old in it, watch my family expand, breathe and enjoy the little things we take for granted.
Habitat for Humanity Thunder Bay could not build this home without the support of the community, volunteers and sponsors. Thank you to Thunder Bay Community Foundation, Superior Electric, Clow Darling, Dan Coulter Contracting and MF Jones for their generous sponsorship of this development.
Habitat for Humanity Thunder Bay buildxs one home a year with a partner family due the pandemic the Leith Street home took longer than expected. For 2021’s build at 211 Heron Street Habitat for Humanity is scheduled to break ground this spring. If you or someone you know is interested in applying for a Habitat home, please view the qualifications and complete the online applications directly on our website https://www.habitattbay.com/homeownership/.
For further information, contact
Lana Vukelic
Habitat for Humanity Thunder Bay
Phone: (807) 345-5520
Email: ceo@habitattbay.com